bhajan

Lit. = Sanskrit prayer; usu. used in reference to songs or hymns in Hinduism; cf Ghazal, another form of song in Indian music. Two formats are recognized: 1) Keerthanam = solo and 2) Sankeerthanam = communal singing. In addition, there are four types of bhajan: 1) Guna = songs expressing the qualities of the Divine where the devotee experiences the oneness of the object of worship and acquires these qualities; 2) Leela = ecstatic dancing and singing; 3) Bhaava = expression of devotion to the divine; 4) Naama = the name of the Lord